Functions of Fructooligosaccharide (FOS)

FOS is extracted from the blue agave plant, grains, and cereals as well as fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, onions, and so on. FOS also can be produced by the degradation of inulin, or polyfructose. Due to the configuration of their glycosidic bonds, FOS opposes hydrolysis through salivary and intestinal digestive enzymes. FOS is a substrate for the microflora in the large intestine, improving the overall health of the gastrointestinal tract. FOS has a lower caloric value while contributing to the dietary fiber fraction of the diet. In addition, FOS and inulin promote calcium absorption in both the animal and the human gut.

Fig.1 Health benefits of FOS. (Sharma, et al., 2017)

FOS Analysis Service at CD BioGlyco

With advanced technologies for Oligosaccharide Analysis CD BioGlyco helps researchers to decipher FOS in detail. Our analytical techniques include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with refractive index (RI) and mass spectrometry (MS), Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Our experts help you tailor a plan that best fits your research needs. Our experts guide you in every step. Your research success is our goal.

Our FOS analysis process is as follows:

• Sample preparation
• Sample collecting and extracting: Generally, most of the extraction methods use water or aqueous alcohols mainly ethanol. Other green technique of oligosaccharide extraction is also used, such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE).
• Chemically modified by derivatization: The derivatization of neutral saccharides is carried out by silylation, acetylation, or alkylation before analysis through clearing up the presence of polar OH, NH, and SH groups.
• Sample separation and purifying: To achieve the separation of oligosaccharides, the careful choice of the appropriate column should consider the features of the stationary phase and the size of the column.
• FOS detection: GC-MS has become a key technology for the identification and quantification of oligosaccharides in plants and the exploration of metabolomics.

Fig.2 FOS analysis of plant tissues by GC-MS. (CD BioGlyco)

Applications

• The structural identification of oligosaccharides can provide the basis for the structural information of polysaccharides.
• Oligosaccharides analysis has been developed for the quality evaluation of carbohydrates as new functional ingredients in herbs and functional foods.
• The proper quantification of FOS leads to a more precise nutritional formulation of new functional foods.

Advantages

• HPLC-RI method may be easily implemented at a laboratory or industrial scale.
• Our services have targeted customized state-of-the-art analysis plans.
• Decades of experience in carbohydrate synthesis, purification, and analysis.

CD BioGlyco has offered FOS analysis services over the years and has been a rich experience. Our analysis process ensures high reproducibility, high accuracy, and reliable results. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us, we are looking forward to being your research assistant in the field of Carbohydrate Metabolism Analysis.

Reference:

1. Sharma, S.; et al. Role of beneficial microbial flora in sustainable agriculture. A Current Perspective. 2017.